“I have also ordered he appear by way of video link,” she said. “I note he is to be seen by a doctor as a matter of urgency.”

Mr Acquaro — a 54-year-old lawyer who represented several prominent Melbourne gangland and Calabrian crime figures — was shot and killed as he walked to his black Mercedes parked in St Phillip Street, Brunswick East, about 3am on March 15, 2016.

A father of three adult sons, Mr Acquaro had just closed his cafe when he was shot. A rubbish truck driver discovered his bloodied body at 3am.

Mr Acquaro had severed ties with many of his former mafia clients after a falling out that had become increasingly bitter in the year before his death.

He was warned by police in June 2015 that his life was in grave danger and needed to take measures to protect himself. But he refused to heed their advice.

Months before his death, Gelobar was severely damaged in a suspicious fire.

Mourners arrive for the 2016 funeral of gangland lawyer Joseph 'Pino' Acquaro at St Mary's Star of Sea Catholic Church in West Melbourne.Credit:Jason South

Police have previously revealed they had a key suspect in the murder. The suspect was arrested and questioned within a week of the shooting, but denied all involvement.

It's understood the same man was linked to a fire at Gelobar in January and a physical altercation with Mr Acquaro.

Footage from Lygon Street and Gelobar appeared to show the man outside the business on the night of the shooting.

It also seemed to show him "casing" the business on other occasions.

Mr Acquaro's body was found in St Phillip Street, the side street next to his Lygon Street cafe Gelobar.Credit:Jason South

Mr Acquaro was a past president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, strongly involved with Parkville's Reggio Calabria Club and a passionate advocate of Calabrian culture and business interests in Australia.

He was known to assist disadvantaged members of the Calabrian community, following a tradition started by his father, a respected Melbourne accountant.

But Mr Acquaro also provided legal representation for some of the most notorious Calabrian underworld figures, some reputed to be in the 'Ndrangheta or Honoured Society.